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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Scary or Silly? Quebec Patriotic Militia

There is a new website for a Quebec militia group. A force for independence? Given past reactions to the use of violence by the FLQ (Front for the Liberation of Quebec), this new group is not going gather much steam. But what does it say that there is such a group and that it has a website? Not much, since anyone can call themselves anything and put up a site.

"The basic objective is to provide a structured response force that can, with a maximum staffing, providing relief material and moral disaster caused by natural disasters, internal disturbances such as rupture essential services, or protect against an aggressor or invader who would assimilate the people or steal their wealth and those of its territory."

I have not read the propaganda on the websites of American militias, so I cannot say whether this is that different. What is striking is the idea that there is any wealth-stealing going on from outside, given that the federal government subsidizes Quebec, not the other way around. The Alberta militia could credibly claim such theft, though. It is also striking given that the past fifteen years have pretty clearly indicated that the federal government would not use force if there was a successful separatist referendum. So, imaginary fears, but, again not surprising because only those with a vivid imagination would expect support for violence here.

That is what makes Quebec so exceptional--a separatist movement that is intolerant of violence. A snazzy website is not going to change that reality.

Stephen M. Saideman

Intro

Greetings! I am a political scientist, specializing in International Relations, my research and teaching focus on ethnic conflict and civil-military relations. I watch way too much TV, and I like movies as well so I tend to write about both and find IR stuff in pop culture. I rant alot about American politics and sometimes about Canadian politics. I like to take ideas I once learned a long time ago and apply them to whatever strikes my fancy.